It was back in the early 1960's that the Ford Motor Company first decided that a successful motorsport programme would improve both its image and lead to an increase in sales for road cars. With this in mind Ford required a sports GT car suitable for use in competition and for sale to the general public in a road trim variation.

Ford decided that the easiest, quickest and most cost effective way to achieve its objectives was to simply buy a company which already had the required reputation.

Ford decided on Ferrari who were totally dominant in sports GT racing at the time. The race cars would be called Ferrari Fords and the road cars Ford Ferraris.

After extensive negotiations Ferrari decided that they were not for sale and left Ford with no alternative but to begin developing their own sports GT car with which to take on Ferrari.

In association with Lola Cars in England Ford developed and produced what would become known as the GT40, so called because of its overall height of just 40".

The GT40 continued to dominate sports GT racing for the next three years winning at Le Mans in 1967, 68 and 69.

With the introduction of rule changes for the 1970 season the GT40 became obsolete overnight. Many fell into disrepair or were exchanged for alternative modes of transport. However these cars are now highly sought after by collectors and regularly change hands for six figure sums.

Due to the rarity and high prices that GT40's now command few will have the privilege of ownership.